But it was the times tables which were my bete noir

Yes, CapK, I always had problems with those - espec. the 7 times, for some reason! But learning by rote really works for that exercise, and I have, like you, been forever grateful that I was made to learn them.

I also discovered the other day that I can still calculate in £-s-d - including division (!) - in my head.
Now whether this says anything for my early training or just proves what a sad bastard I am, I'm not sure